Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio is proud of the progress his offensive and defensive units have made this season, which are reflected in the national statistical rankings.AP Photo

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State's defense still ranks No. 1 in the nation, even after surrendering more than 300 yards in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

The Spartans, who are giving up 236.6 yards per game, also remain No. 1 in rushing defense (59.4 yards) but they've slipped to No. 8 in passing yardage allowed after the Wildcats threw for 239 yards in a 30-6 Michigan State win.

Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio said finishing the season with the No. 1 defense would be a nice goal to accomplish, but it's not the end-all, be-all.

"I think that's something we look at the end of the year and point to it with pride,'' Dantonio said on his Sunday night teleconference. "But I don't think that's something that you look at relative to, you know, would you rather be 10-2 or would you rather be 11-1 and second in defense. I think our players understand that they want to win games first and foremost, and then the individual honors will follow. But you've got to win games and you've got to play well to get that.

"But I think that's something that you can point to and get excited about as a program. That's a program recognition, an entire defense, our coaching staff.''

Dantonio can also point to the efficiency his offense has operated with during the Big Ten season under co-offensive coordinators Dave Warner and Jim Bollman.

The Spartans are second in the Big Ten and 21st in the nation with a 48-percent Third-down conversion rate, even after a 4-of-12 effort against Wildcats.